5 Venice Carnival Mask Workshops to Plan a Day Around

1.Carnival Mask Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,925 reviews · 1 hour · from $91Our pick

Choose a paper-mâché mask, then paint and decorate it with help from a Venetian artisan. Instructors such as Giorgio, Nicolo, and Petra guide the work and share stories about Carnival and mask-making. Paints and supplies are included, and you take your mask home. The class lasts about an hour, though some sessions may run longer.

“A really worthwhile activity that both our children 11 and 14 enjoyed immensely, held in a historical prison setting with a kind and helpful host. Ran for just over 1.5 hours and got a tour of the prison exhibitions. Would definitely recommend”

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2.Venetian Carnival Mask Making Class in Venice, Italy

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 525 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $83

In a small class near Piazza San Marco, a Venetian artisan introduces papier-mâché mask decoration and the role of masks in Carnival. You paint and decorate a mask with the supplied materials, then take it home. The session lasts about 75 minutes, with a maximum of four participants.

“The mask making was fun. The person that teaches it is also an authentic multigenerational amazing mask designer himself. Definitely recommend”

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3.Venetian Masks Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 411 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $71Top rated

At Carta Alta’s small studio on Giudecca, artisans guide you through decorating a paper-mache mask to take home. You’ll hear about Venetian designs such as the Bauta and Moretta, try the studio’s baroque technique, and can ask about its film work. Augusto and his team lead sessions in English, Spanish, or Italian.

“Our family had so much fun making our Venetian masks. The artists who guide you are patient and wonderful. This might have been our favorite activity in Venice! It is a great value and so much fun.”

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4.Paint your own Venetian Mask Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 332 reviews · 1 hour · from $67Best value

Choose from more than 50 handmade paper-mâché masks, then decorate yours with acrylic tempera paints, metallic gold or silver, and finishing touches such as feathers, ribbons, and sequins. An artist guides the one-hour session in Italian, French, or English. The group is capped at eight, and you take your mask home.

“My family had a great time and the masks Jake great keepsakes. The address for the shop wasn’t exactly accurate and it was hard to find. Other than that, it’s a great activity.”

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5.Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 73 reviews · 2 hours · from $93

Start at the Ca’ Rezzonico waterbus stop and follow an English-speaking guide through Venice’s lanes to three bacari. The two-hour walk includes two glasses of regional wine, a spritz, and cicchetti, with a finish near Rialto Bridge. Carnival dress is appreciated, but the drinks and small bites, not a full meal, are the main draw.

“Only the first of the three venues was pleasant and suitable to accommodate the group. There was very little time in any of the three venues and each of the 3 drinks were very small - nowhere near a standard measure . The snacks were extremely sparse too. We were rushed out of the first and second venues with insufficient time to even finish the small drinks. It was cold, lacked atmosphere or care and it was clear that the 3rd tiny brightly lit ‘plastic’ standup venue had not been organised in advance- we were glad to leave it asap in any event .Extremely disappointing , wholly lacking in any…”

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